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[Civil War]. Robert E. Rodes Autograph Letter Signed ("R E Rodes"). ...
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$3,000.00
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Description
[Civil War]. Robert E. Rodes Autograph Letter Signed ("R E Rodes"). Three pages of a bifolium, 6" x 7.375", "Farrs X Roads" [Virginia]; July 5, 1861. A touching early war letter addressed to his wife [Virginia Hortense Woodruff], penned shortly before he was commissioned a colonel in the 5th Alabama Infantry and two weeks before the First Battle of Bull Run. He writes, in part:"I am delighted to see that you are my business agent in these purchases - am proud to see you take hold of it so decidedly and cheerfully... I would have sent to you for the flag but I hated to make you work so, and then Gen. Garland told me that Lucy Wilson had already made one for him in fine style &c. The flag is here finally with spearhead broken off but it is quite a beautiful one and just what we wanted. It floated on to the breeze yesterday for the first time... yesterday I went up to Fairfax Ct. House and looked around... The whole place was in gloom though from the firing of So. Carolina troops at three of their friends (Virginians) of the same scouting party - killing two of them dead - fine young gentlemen Tyler & Gordon by name. They belonged to Wm. Paynes Company of horse... I long to see my dear child... and the solution... near at hand I tell you. A fight cannot be postponed much longer if Lincoln is backed by Congress as he will be... nothing new here today or since I wrote except that I love my wife very dearly. What did Dr. Alexander tell you that we had a vivandiere for - and why not a whole regiment have our sweethearts at least..."
Robert E. Rodes (1829-1864) graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and returned to serve as an instructor before the outbreak of the Civil War. He was commissioned a colonel of the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment until he was assigned to Major General D. H. Hill's division following his promotion to brigadier general in October 1861. Rodes was wounded during the Battle of Seven Pines but recovered well enough to participate in the Battle of Gaines Mill later that month. Two days after the battle, his wound took a turn, and he was assigned to the defense of Richmond while he recuperated. Rodes had a distinguished war record. He was wounded a second time at Antietam, where his regiments held the line at "Bloody Lane". He assisted Stonewall Jackson's flank attack at Chancellorsville, took some missteps at Gettysburg, redeemed himself at the "Bloody Angle" at Spotsylvania, but was killed at the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864. The letter is accompanied by an engraved vignette portrait of Rodes in uniform.
Condition: Minor dampstain to center of second sheet which extends slightly to the first but not affecting legibility.
Auction Info
2022 November 10 Manuscripts of the American Revolutionary War and Civil War Signature® Auction #6259 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2022
10th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
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